73 Results

Breaking the pokies promise reinforced the PM’s untrustworthiness and Wilkie went on to vote with the opposition on the question of suspending Thomson from Parliament.

Crikey reads have their say.

The stench of death pervades the Gillard government. Yesterday’s events were acts of desperation.

The Gillard government has been, in policy terms, a good one. But the political tactical judgment of the Prime Minister has always been profoundly flawed, writes Bernard Keane.

Labor has increased the chances of an early election with its poor judgment over Andrew Wilkie.

Crikey readers have their say.

Julia Gillard’s calculated decision last December to trade her allegiance with Andrew Wilkie for a sordid pact with Peter Slipper is arguably the biggest mistake she has made as Prime Minister.

The government has taken a significant step towards correcting the problems created by bad price signals in aged care.

Don’t expect the media to join the dots on the Slipper allegations and wonder why MPs’ offices are such toxic workplaces.

There is no provision for “standing aside” in the constitution. The Peter Slipper scandal takes parliament into uncharted waters, writes constitutional expert Peter Black.

We already refer to our two speed economy (even though in reality it’s more like 12 speed) but what about our two speed parliament?

Peter Slipper may well be entitled to the presumption of innocence but it’s a miracle he got the Speaker’s job in the first place, writes Paul Barry.

Crikey media wrap: Controversial MP Peter Slipper stepped aside as Speaker over the weekend after allegations of sexual harassment against a male staffer and claims he misused Cabcharges.

Julia Gillard and s-xism: John Richardson writes: Re. “What do we mean by ‘s-xist’ when we refer to criticisms of Gillard?” (yesterday, item 18). Robin Cameron suggests that society’s treatment and expectations of Julia Gillard are s-xist. Cameron implies that Gillard is being treated unfairly, suggesting that we are guilty of applying a double standard […]

New Speaker of the House Peter Slipper has been mocked donning a gown and bow-tie and demanding the ye olde grand Speaker entry. He’s just embracing traditions, a rarity in Australian politics, notes Mike Seccombe.

Parliament’s back in session, and much to the surprise/delight/slight disappointment of the gallery and interested observers, it seems to be proceeding in an orderly fashion.